Volunteers rally for 3-day event at convention center

If you ask Evangelist Byron Foxx what he's doing these days, most likely he will tell you about the God Bless America Crusade to be held Wednesday through Friday, Feb. 1-3.

"What we're trying to do is remind our country that there is a God in heaven and He has blessed us," says Foxx. "We need His blessings now. Our country is in trouble."

Sparked by Sept. 11, 2011, and the God Bless America Rally attended by 9,000 people in Charleston, W.Va., the God Bless America Crusade is years in the making.

"I was saved in 1972 at a city-wide crusade at the Hampton Coliseum, It changed my life," Foxx says of his experience accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

That was the last time area Baptist churches worked to bring together this kind of event, he said.

The crusade will honor the nation's military. "We want to pray for them," he said. "Many military folks have promised to come and bring a delegation with them."

The three-day crusade at the convention center in Hampton will feature participation from five of the original Tuskegee Airman; representatives from the original Montford Point Marines, the first African-American Marines; a color guard from the Coast Guard on Friday night; 40 area Baptist churches; a 300-plus member choir comprised of sponsoring churches' congregation members; a large children's choir singing nightly; and contingents from the police, fire and rescue, and other first responders.

"In a nutshell, this is an evangelistic meeting preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ," Foxx said. "We will be honoring our heroes and political leaders, too."

Assistant Pastor Milton Gatling from Hampton Roads Independent Baptist Church will counsel attendees who respond to the gospel. "The Jan. 12 rally we had in preparation for the God Bless America Crusade was a revival for all of us," he said.

Pastor Emeritus Gene Parrisher of Bethel Baptist Church has been preaching at area churches encouraging participation in the crusade.

"I've been as supportive as I can be to Brother Foxx because I believe in it and I think it is something our area needs."